Refractor.



No. 672109. Patented Apr. 16, I90l.

E. G. STEPHENS.

R E F BAGTO R.

(Application flied Aug. 9, 1900.)

(No Model.)

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Ii (V6752 rim/J. 929 1% Mg g J I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD GEORGE STEPHENS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

REFRACTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent No. 672,109, dated April16, 1901.

Application filed August 9, 1900. Serial No. 26,353. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD GEORGE STE- PHENS, a subject of the Queen ofGreat Britain, residing atPhiladelphia, county of Philadelphia, andState of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and usefulImprovement in Refractors, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in refractors forvarious kinds of globes and other purposes, and has for its object toaccomplish this purpose in an exceedingly simple manner by utilizingliquid contained within hollow glass of various forms.

With this end in view the invention consists in the details ofconstruction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth and thenspecifically designated by the claim.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this inventionappertains may understand how to make and use the same, the constructionand operation will now be described in detail, referring to theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in whichFigure 1 is a plan view of a magnifyingglass or refractor made inaccordance with my improvement; Fig. 2, a cross section thereof, showingthe two sides to be convexed; Fig. 3, an enlarged section of thehandle-socket in which the shank of the refractor is threaded, alsoshowing a stopper for closing the interior of the glass and maintainingthe liquid therein; Fig. 4, a view illustrating the application of myimproved refractor to a gas-burner, the bracket being so arranged as tovary the distance between the flame and the refractor.

In carrying out my invention as here embodied I form themagnifying-refractor by providing a hollow glass casing of suitableshape, which is then filled with suitable liquid, preferably water,either in its clear state or colored, as the case may be, so that lightstriking this refractor may pass therethrough with a moving efiect,while at the same time a portion thereof is reflected from the surfaceagainst which the rays strike.

In Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, a refractor A is of the double-convex typeand has a shank [with screw-threads B formed thereon, and

when this refractor is filled with liquid the opening in the shank issecurely closed by the stopper D. The object of the threads B are tosecure the refractor to a handle or a rod E, and this is accomplished bythe internallythreaded socket F before formed thereon, which is adaptedto receive the shank, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. For the purpose ofsupporting the refractor the arm E may have a right-angle extension Gfitted in the hollow upright of the stand H, so that by means of aset-screw I the refractor may be raised or lowered or swung to thedesired position and secured by this set-screw.

In Fig. 4 I have illustrated the adaptation of my improved refractor toa gas-burner in which the bracket J is provided with a clamp K forsecurement upon the gas-pipe, and the refractor A is mounted upon theright-angle rod L and made adjustable by the set-screw M. This permitsthe refractor to be varied in distance relative to the flame, andthereby vary the action thereof.

It is to be noted that a refractor made in accordance with myimprovement secures no part of the light, but rather increases theillumination by diffusing the dark rays and shedding them in a moregeneral manner, and when used as a direct refractor, as shown in Fig. 4,reflects a certain portion of the rays in one direction, whilepermitting a portion thereof to pass through the glass, thus casting nodark shadows, as in the case of metallic or other refractors.

My improvement is especially adapted for ornamental and decoratingpurposes, producing results which are not obtainable by ordinaryrefractors or globes, and, further,certain forms of my invention areadmirably adapted for use as magnifying-glasses and can be manufacturedat comparatively small cost.

I desire it to be distinctly understood that the particular shape of thevarious forms of my refractor is not an essential feature of myinvention, as it may be made in Various shapes-as, for instance,parabolic or other convenient shapes for any particular purpose.

In practice it will be found that my improved refractor firstconcentrates the rays of light and then gives them out again in a 1 rodhaving a socket in its end to receive the IO diffused form, therebyincreasing the general threaded end of the refractor.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto afillumination.

Having thus fully described my invention, fixed my signature in thepresence of two sub- What I claim as new and useful is scribingWitnesses.

In combination, a refractor having convex EDWARD GEORGE STEPHENS. walls,separated and filled with liquid and Witnesses: having a threadedsocket, a bracket suitably MARY E. HAMER,

supported, a rod slidable in the bracket, said L. W. MORRISON.

